he Mahratta horse, two thousand strong,
were pillaging at a distance of six miles from the town, Charlie set
off the day following his arrival to meet them. The Mahrattas had
notice of his coming; but hearing that the force consisted only of two
hundred horse, they regarded it with contempt.

When Charlie first came upon them they were in the open country; and,
seeing that they were prepared to attack him, he drew up his little
force in two lines. The second line he ordered to dismount, to act as
infantry. The two guns were loaded with grape, and the men of the
first line were drawn up at sufficient intervals to allow an
infantryman to pass between each horse.

With shouts of anticipated triumph, the Mahratta horse swept down. The
front line of English horsemen had screened the movements of those
behind, and when the enemy were within fifty yards, Charlie gave the
word. The troopers already sat, musket in hand, and between each horse
an infantry soldier now stepped forward; while towards each end, the
line opened and the two field pieces were advanced.

The Mahratta horsemen were astonished at this sudden manoeuvre; but,
pressed by the mass from behind, they still continued their charge.
When but fifteen yards from the English line, a stream of fire ran
along this, from end to end. Every musket was emptied into the
advancing force, while the guns on either flank swept them with grape.

The effect was tremendous. Scarcely a man of the front line survived
the fire, and the whole mass halted, and recoiled in confusion. Before
they could recover themselves, another volley of shot and grape was
fired into them. Then Charlie's infantry ran back; and the cavalry,
closing up, dashed upon the foe, followed half a minute afterwards by
the lately dismounted men of the other two troops; ten white soldiers,
alone, remaining to work and guard the guns.

The effect of the charge of these two hundred disciplined horse, upon
the already disorganized mob of Mahratta horsemen, was irresistible;
and in a few minutes the Mahrattas were scattered, and in full flight
over the plain, pursued by the British cavalry, now broken up into
eight half troops. The rout was complete, and in a very short time the
last Mahratta had fled, leaving behind them three hundred dead upon
the plain.

Greatly gratified with their success; and feeling confident, now, in
their own powers, the British force returned to Arcot.

Charlie now determined to attac